Cold Case: Esther Holmes

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Story Created: Feb 6, 2009 at 5:52 PM CST

Story Updated: Feb 6, 2009 at 6:22 PM CST

After spending 10 days un-identified in a hospital bed, a 65 year old Wichita Falls woman is identified, but not her killer. 

In our Cold Case Series, we see how a tragic and deadly attack in 1982 could've had a completely different outcome!

 26 years have gone by, but the person responsible for the senseless murder of Esther Holmes is still getting away with the crime. The 65 year old woman moved to Wichita Falls in the fall of 1981, and was brutally killed less than a year later. After hanging on to life for at least two days, police say someone finally spotted Esther.

She was found in the 1300 block of 11th St. Esther was in the bushy area by a guy walking by.  Police and Emergency Personnel were immediately called, but no one knew who the female victim was.

"The victim had no identification. There wasn't anything to I.D. her, so  for several days we had no idea who she was." said Officer Harold McClure.

 Esther was taken the hospital, but it still took 10 days and help from the media, before an out of town family member came forward

"We got a call on June 17Th saying I believe it's my mom." 

Police say Esther was still alive but unable to talk, so getting info about her attack wasn't an option.

"It's sad once we were able to I.D. who she was we learned some of her habits."

 Esther lived in the area, and police say she loved to get out and walk.

"Taking an evening stroll, minding her own business, and something like this happens."

Officers say her injuries were so bad it was obvious she was attacked. They say it was also clear this was not a recent attack, and wonder why it took so long for someone to see her.

"This has been well over 20 years, we are kind of wanting people to say hey I did see something or hear something and I don't know if this is going to help but I remember this. That's the info we want because that may be the piece we are looking for! "

Nearly 2 months after being attacked, Esther died on July 26,1982. Police say her injuries were just too serious. Esther died from head trauma and pneumonia.

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